Lumos

Chapter 24

"I have something to say to you all. The Yule Ball is approaching – a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the Ball will be open only to fourth-year students and above – although you may invite a younger student if you wish." Professor McGonagall started.

Lavender started to ridiculously giggle and I just wanted to chuck my book at her head. Parvati tried to shut her friend up, while they both looked longingly at Harry. Both of them were ignored by McGonagall and everyone else.

"Dress robes will be worn and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day. Everything will finish at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then, the Yule Ball is, of course, a chance for us all to – er – let our hair down, but that does NOT mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way." She said sternly.

The bell rang and everyone but Harry was allowed to leave. We met up about half an hour later and that's when he told us about the dance partners. Mione and I found it hilarious but Ron and Harry certainly did not.

As the days passed the girls around us got more ridiculous than ever. They were following the boys around, trying to get an invitation to the Ball and it is literally driving me up the wall. I don't understand what the big obsession with this is.

"Mione why are they so pathetic?" I asked my friend one afternoon.

"Leave them alone, most of them are vain teenagers. We don't have to worry about such trivial things." She answered with a small smile.

"Yes, since my boyfriend is a prat and is going to wait for the last minute and you Miss Mysterious Mione, already have a date. Which you won't tell me about." I complained.

"It's a surprise to everyone, you'll find out the day of the ball." She said smartly.

We walked out of the third-floor bathroom just as a group of giggling girls walked in. I looked over at Mione and sighed which made her laugh. Classes were dull since everyone was distracted and it's just making me uncomfortable. Harry and Ron were still dateless while I waited for George to ask me.

Although, mysteriously I started to receive little notes with random letters on them. Each one had a snowflake and a heart decorating it. My friends found it funny while my boyfriend was slowly getting very angry. On our way to Potions class, we passed two more giggling groups and I got another little note.

"For Godric's sake, this has to stop." I muttered.

"How many do you have so far?" Mione asked.

"With this one, it makes eleven and apparently there will be five more." I groaned.

"Why do you say that?" she asked.

"The bottom corner says 11/16, this is just getting ridiculous. How am I supposed to continue to hide this from George?" I complained.

Before I managed to put the note away George came up to me in the corridor, he had a smile on his face until he saw the note. His pace slowed down and I could see the anger cross over his face. I was planning on putting it away before George managed to see it, I know how he feels and I wanted to avoid this particular situation.

"You got another one?" he asked seriously.

"Hi love . . . I uh . . . yes, I got another one, just a few minutes ago." I whispered.

"That's wonderful, isn't it? You should get to Potions, I'll see you later on." He muttered, kissing my forehead.

"That was just great." I muttered myself.